As I Xi It

On the whole, Cuzco is a fairly well behaved chinchilla but could do with some training. She’s reasonably friendly, will take food from my hand and let me pet her when she feels like it, however, she doesn’t listen to commands which is something I’d quite like her to do.

So I’ve decided to try clicker training her like people do with dogs. There have been reports of success with chins on the web so we’ll see how she fares. Rather than buy an actual clicker, I’ve opted to use a clicker training app. I’ve spent the last two nights loading the clicker with oats – clicking and then giving her a treat, which she’s responded to quite well. So far so good. Next, to get her to come to me when I call her name.

That pesky chinny.

She’s just adorable! Earlier this evening, she mugged me of my glasses. All this rioting nonsense has been a bad influence.

It’s been three weeks now and Cuzco’s settling in nicely. Since the last update, I’ve let her run amok out of her cage. She’s a bit reluctant to come out, but I find that if I turn the lights out and leave her cage door open, she’ll quite willingly jump out.

She’s become more accepting of being stroked but isn’t quite so keen on being picked up. Last night while I sat next to her cage, I put some oats on my shoulder and she came out and perched there nibbling away and then decided that my hair was tasty too.

When she runs around, she jumps off the wall like a ninja, but since she’s so fast, it’s difficult to get a decent shot.

The other night when she was out, I gave her access to her dust bath, even though it’s more or less enclosed except for the entrance, she still managed to get it everywhere and chucked a good chinchilla handful at me. When I swirl the sand about, she knows it’s bath time and comes a runnin’.

The past week has been rather hot so I’ve had to put in a wrapped ice pack for her to chill out on which I think she appreciated. She looks really cute when she’s all flatted out.

I chinchilla

…and I’m not talking about sheep (or shepherds for that matter).

Yes, I can do bojutsu too.

So, it’s been over a week since I picked up my chinchilla and I’ve been spending time with her pretty much every evening and have even slept in the same room as her to get her used to my presence.

Progress has been at a leisurely pace as expected. A few nights ago, she let me rub her belly and over the following nights, it progressed to a chin scratch, side of face stroke and this evening, a head rub along with some scratching behind the ears like you do with cats.

She’s very willing to have both front paws on my hand while taking treats from the other, but seems a bit reluctant to sit in my palm. Having said that, last night she sat in my hand momentarily before jumping off and running around in her cage.

I still haven’t let her run loose in the room. Don’t think it’s wise until I have her trained up some more.

She’s pretty friendly and is slowly coming out of her shell. Her fur’s just so soft. Cici has pretty soft fur as did Watson, but her’s is in a league of it’s own.

I got me a new chinchilla! She’s kinda shy having previously been in a house with two young kids and plenty of noise. Since picking her up yesteday morning, I’ve managed to get her to eat out the palm of my hand while resting her two front paws on me.

You can follow her on Twitter – Click me.

Cuzco the chinchilla, she likes a whole lotta hay

Cage interior

Chinchilla cage

Following my post about lack of posts, I thought I’d give an update on Cici. He went to the vets on Tuesday (whined all the way there) and was pretty much given the all clear. That cost me £30.64. He’s just finished his course of antibiotics and the abscess is gone, all that’s left is for the missing hair to grow back. He walked into the cat carrier himself once he had been examined.

Cici chills in the garden

Yawwwnnnn...

Hmn… I forsee hairy hoodies.

What every wardrobe needs

Cici takes a look at the vet bill.

It was how much!?

Thank god I ain't paying that